So, how did practice go?
Now that practice is over time to take a few minutes (hopefully with our new assistant(s)) and take note of strengths and weaknesses of the practice and the players. Hopefully you’ve filled out your 5 Tools Chart.(See previous post). If not, do it now. Again, this chart will help you plan the next practice based on skill development. Did the players respond well to you? Did they keep active? Did you lose attention? Did you finish on time?
As to the players, consider their foot speed (note during the 'live portion of batting practice); Arm strength (note during throwing drills and fielding practice); Fielding ability; Ability to hit consistently during BP; Enthusiasm. These will be used as the basis to build on “the 5 tools" of Baseball.
By using the 5 tools scale, instruction can be made more effective by looking at these scores more closely. Take the scores and average by individual skill scores; then average by skill.
Note the skills that need most work and the players that can help and demonstrate those skills.
In other words, if the team average is low in a skill, more team practice is required on that skill. If the team average is being brought down by an individual, share that weakness with the athlete as something to work on privately. This will become more important as teams become more advanced and competitive.
As the season progresses, you will use the above chart to follow the progress of the team and the players. It's also a good measurement of your coaching too- the overall average (covered by the XXXX). The more the team improves, the higher your score.
A couple of things to remember
One key is to save your coaching for practices. During the game, encourage and congratulate small achievements. Competitiveness is innate in early years and should be supported. Shy kids need lots of encouragement. Have fun and make sure the players do too. Never scold or embarrass a player during the game or practice. Take notes for private discussion later or for practice. Parents also like to help at home. Gently offer small suggestions in specific areas that require work.
Throwing and fielding well, rely heavily on repetition. Do as many reps as possible, as often as possible. Ultimately your pre-game routine will include mini versions of some of your drills.
Teach and show respect for Umpires and other players. They are learning the game too. Leagues are finding it increasingly difficult to hire and retain officials due to the abuse they suffer at the hands of players, coaches and fans (parents) every year. Make sure parents understand and ask for their support in policing this ongoing problem.
Top 10 signs of a great teammate*
10) Accepts any role that will help the team.
9) Would rather score less and win than score more and lose.
8) When the team scores, congratulates teammates.
7) Has as much fun working hard in practice as during the game.
6) Has respect for opponents, but doesn't fear them.
5) You listen while others are speaking, are coachable and show respect for coaches, officials and other players.
4) You are quick to pick up a teammate.
3) You are willing to help younger or less experienced players.
2) You learn and grow from your mistakes.
1) Show confidence - not arrogance.
Next week - Basic skills.
*Proactive Coaching.info
Before going to the ball park for your first practice, consider how much time you have. You should plan on 1 hour for younger children and 2 or more as they get older and more experienced.
Plan to run your practice by the clock. Remember, if you don't plan, then plan to fail. Having a practice plan ensures practice that has a purpose and allows you to monitor yours and your team’s progress.
Consider the skill set of the age group. Although the complexity of the practices changes over time, the need to warm and stretch should be demonstrated from an early age. This is to begin to establish a routine that may help avoid injury later on.
You will find that the skills portion will take up less and less of the practice time as the players improve. Baseball is a sport like any other. Certain skills sets are needed to compete – throwing, catching and hitting.
I have broken the various skills into their component parts. Learn these because they are the individual can be taught. Things like speed cannot. We can however create a more efficient runner.
Looking forward once the basics are learned you spend more time planning strategy and working on ‘situational plays’. This is not to suggest that the two a mutually exclusive – they are not. We constantly ask the young player “Where’s the play?” This way the knowledge base expands with the various skills development.
Practice is really where it all begins. Having a well-co-ordinated practice will make sure everyone is keeping active. If you have really young players it doesn’t take long to lose attention especially the really active ones. Try to keep the time spent teaching new skills to a minimum. Providing too much information leaves too little time for the ever vital, repetition.
To get ready for practice have available bucket of balls, bats of various sizes, clip board, pencil, copy of The 5 Tools Chart (to follow) and positive mental attitude. Create a chart. This can be filled out
during practice for later discussion and planning.
5 Tools Skill Chart
NAME_/SPEED_/_ARM_/FIELDING/__HITTING__/ENTHUSIASM/_AVERAGE
_____I______I_____I_________I___________I___________I________
_____I______I_____I_________I___________I___________I________
_____I______I_____I_________I___________I___________I________
_____I______I_____I_________I___________I___________I________
Aver I______I_____I_________I___________I___________I__XXXX__
Typically players are rated on a 1-5 scale where 1 indicates no skill at all, 2 = rudimentary skill. 3 = average ability, 4= above average, 5 = superior ability. This scale is designed to rate the players relative to age and experience.
As players continue their baseball careers they will continue to be rated in this way most often. If your organization requests assessments of your players at the end of the season, this is a handy tool. Take the time to update the chart frequently to monitor progress; once a month should be enough.
Ultimately 'Enthusiasm' will be replaced with 'Knowledge'
Here's an example of a practice plan for new ball players:
7:00 - 7:10 Announcements then light jog to centre field and back (fill out names on chart)
7:10 - 7:15 Form a circle and stretch: 1) Rotate ankles , 2) Spread legs and do side bends to stretch ham strings and torso, 3) Wrist stretch and rotate, 4) Shoulder rotation, 5) Shoulder stretch.
7:15 - 7:25 Form in two lines, facing each other. Demonstrate proper throwing and fielding technique (see skills and drills). Begin with the players close enough that no one gets hurt and then gradually back them up. Monitor and correct as necessary.
7:25 - 7:35 Place the players around the infield to field ground balls. Have the players throw the ball back to home plate. Encourage proper technique as practiced prior.
7:35 -7:45 Move players back to receive outfield ground balls. Have the players throw to second base.
7:45 - 8:00 Put players in position and begin batting practice. Can be off a tee, pitching machine or live. 5-10 reps per player - live on last rep. Ensure you keep play going or you’ll never finish on time. Move players around infield and outfield positions. Keep 2 players ‘on deck’, so no waiting while the next player comes in to hit. Have one coach watch hitting while another works with fielders. Encourage proper fielding technique
8:00 Practice ends. Final announcements.
Whether you had help or not,” Congratulations”. You are officially Coach!
Ok. You've just signed your child up for Little League Baseball.
It is so nice that your child wants to share your passion. In the midst of all the enthusiasm that he or she has, and the joy you are feeling at your child about to learn the lifelong joys of 'America's pastime', someone mentions that the team needs a coach. Since you'll be at the ball park anyway, you figure you might as well help out whoever volunteers for the 'Head Coach' job.
A phone call comes the next day to tell you that you are the only one to put your name forward. Will you please act as Coach, pick up your new team roster, schedule and equipment bag.
"What the......I don't know anything about coaching! What am I supposed to do?"
Smile.
First you'll need a positive mental attitude and a desire to truly enjoy yourself. A coach can have a huge influence on a child. Like a school teacher, or police officer, parents defer to them. “Do what the coach says." This is vital. Never forget.
Day 1
Check your gear. Make sure everything is in good repair. If your organization provides medical kits - good; if not get or make one. You may never need it but it's good to have, just in case. Try to get a 5 gal pail or milk crate to carry baseballs. It makes the balls easy to access and transport. Next, do all you can to get more help- your life will be easier.
Baseball -It has been my pleasure to have been involved in 'the great American Pastime', most of my adult life. It didn't come to me early, in fact I never played competitive ball until my 20's. I never played baseball as a kid - it wasn't available to me. I always loved the 'grand old game' anyway and as soon as the chance came, I took it. After a couple of seasons, an old shoulder injury came back to haunt and my playing days were too soon over.
Thankfully, that wasn't the end of the story as about the same time, my son started to play baseball. Like most parents, I started going to all the practices as well as his games and eventually I began to help out wherever possible. I loved it! Outdoors in the summer with the family; getting to know the other parents of teammates was wonderful.
After the first season, I determined to become a coach. And if that was to be the case, I wanted to be as knowledgeable as possible and started attending any clinic that I could. Over the next 35 years, I learned from coaches in Florida, Michigan, Toronto and others. I have coached every level from house league to university to semi-pro and learned under some amazing people. I have also studied body mechanics, nutrition and exercise. Moving forward I will share all this through description, photos and short videos. These will include sample drills and exercises to enhance a particular skill.
This blog site is to encourage others to take the lessons I have learned and expand on them. Use your ingenuity - make them better and share. Meantime, let me help you get started on the road to success coaching baseball.
If you have any suggestions to the betterment of coaching or questions for me, take a few minutes and say hello.
Good luck, and warm wishes.
Coach Dave
